Don't Forget Me (21)

I froze.

Ghazi was smoking a cigarette as he stood a couple of steps in front of me. The smell made me nauseous.

"Omniyah 9a7? Wala asameech Niyah?" he asked.

I was getting creeped out right now. I had a feeling he knew a bit too much about me and I was going to kill Lulu the next time I saw her, yet I really hoped Lulu and Sarah would find me soon. My heart was thumping right now and there was no one else around.

"Em'6ay3a?" he asked with a chuckle. I couldn't even move.

"Lulu galatli no3ich tisti7een bas mahagaitich tisti7een chithi," he said with a chuckle as he blew into the air. I was going to throw up.

I finally gathered my strength to speak.

"Asfa bas barid ilshalaih," I told him.

"Shkintay btsaween ehni?" he asked, blocking my way back.

Bala3t reeji.

"Law sama7t bamshi," I said, and my voice quivered. Who was this jerk?

I took a step forward but he stood in front of me, blocking me again, and distracted me while laughing.

"Ghazi? Shtsawe hni?" I heard someone say from afar.

I nearly gasped.

Zaid was standing a couple of steps away from us 9ob ilba7ar.

I couldn't believe it.

"Hala Zayoud, maku bas rifeejat Lulu bnt khali m'6ay3a shway," he said with a chuckle while looking at me.

I couldn't stop staring at Zaid. I didn't know he was back.

Three years did him well. He was a bit taller and definitely grew into his looks. He now had a stubble and looked really fit. I felt a wave of warmth, comfort, and a sense of security when I saw him, if not a sense of longing. I didn't realize how much I missed him.

"Aha," Zaid said.

I hoped he didn't believe Ghazi, moreover I hoped he didn't think there was something going on between us. I would die if he thought that; it was like going to McDonald's for a burger when you could have a steak at home.

"Law sama7t," I said as I finally crossed Ghazi, and feeling really confused about the whole thing. I didn't turn to look at Zaid. I didn't want Ghazi getting any wrong ideas, that is if he hadn't already known about me and Zaid.

 I couldn't believe Zaid was back, nevermind that he saw me with that jerk Ghazi. I ran back to Lulu's chalet, and I was running out of breath when I walked in. I found Lulu and Sarah both in the living room, and they both stood up in relief when I entered. They looked really worried.

Lulu only had herself to blame, I felt so exposed. I still couldn't believe what she had done.

"Niyah wain ri7tay? 6awaltay," Lulu said.

"Si2lay your cousin," I said angrily as I walked past her to get a bottle of water from the fridge.

 "In yibteela 6ari ismi mara thanya Lulu wallah mara7 asam7ich. Khal ye7tirm nafsa," I added.

I left them with their jaws dropped and stormed to the bedroom before they could get a chance to ask me anything. I couldn't go home now as much as I really wanted to; it was almost 10 PM. I would just stay in my room until tomorrow morning.

I tried to register what had happened earlier. I still couldn't believe Zaid was back, it was like a dream. I didn't know how long he was here for or how long he'd be here, but I knew it wasn't for long since it was just winter break.

I got changed into my pajamas and sat on my bed as I checked my phone. I had one text from my mom and like four calls from Lulu and Sarah. They were really worried.

I sighed and put my phone away to pack my bag but I heard a knock on my door and Lulu walked in. I wasn't in the mood to talk but I let her in anyway.

She sat on my bed as she bit her lip trying to figure out what to say.

"Niyah, wallah 7ail 7ail sorry 3ala ili 9ar. Ana wayid ta3adait 7doodi ma3ach ou ma aloumich itha ma sama7teeni. Madry sh9ar ma3ach oo Ghazi tawa bas wallah ma kan qa9di a7rijich aw shay. He really liked you oo I guess 7ail ishta6ait ili ma fakart 3adil lama gltla 3annich. Ma a3arfa wayid bas wallah ma kint adri inna uhwa 7aywan chithi, wallah. I'm so so sorry oo I don't expect you to forgive me al7een bas please i3tabray my apology oo ay shay tabeena I'm always here," she said as she stroked my hand.

I could see past her fake apology. "Lulu glteela shay 3anni ana oo Zaid?" I had to ask.

In9admat as she tried to find the words. I couldn't believe her.

"Lulu ma a9adgich," I could only say.

"Bas Niyah intay glteeli it was over, o uhwa yabe y3arif 3annich akthar fa e'66arait agoula,"

"E'66araitay ha? W ana, ma3ndi rai b hal maw'6ou3?" I yelled at her.

Lulu shut up o bla3at reejha.

"Ma3tiqid I trust you anymore," I told her. I could see her eyes begin to water, gal3at'ha. God knew what she said about me behind my back. This was the straw that broke the camel's back.

"Kaifich," Lulu said as she wiped at her tears. She got up from the bed and stood by the door.

"By the way," she said before closing the door. "Zaid rad mn ilsfar."

I really wanted to kill her now.

***

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